Black History Month “Planting the S.E.E.D. to Health and History” Campaign

What is the Black History Month “Planting the S.E.E.D. to Health and History” Campaign?

In honor of Black History Month, let’s Plant the S.E.E.D. for Survivorship, Education, and Early Detection for Women of Color!

Some health conditions like cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure, can be genetic. Together, we can trace back our family history to find out what health risks run in our family! Download your tree here and follow the instructions below.

How can I Plant the S.E.E.D. during Black History Month?

Download your family health tree for Black History month and trace your family history back three generations. Ask questions of your siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents (if they are still living) to find out what health conditions may run in your family.

Bring your family tree with you the next time you visit your primary care physician. If you have a family history of a disease or condition a doctor can help monitor your health and keep attuned to risk factors you may face. A doctor may begin screening early, put you on a medication, or ask you to undergo genetic testing based on your family history.

DBCC will be offering a $100 gift card to one lucky participant. After you complete the family tree and discuss it with your doctor, visit our online survey you will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift card. Contest is valid February 1, 2015 through January 30, 2016.

Why is Planting the S.E.E.D. so important?

The Black History Month “Plant the S.E.E.D. to Health and History” Campaign is a part of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s Planting the S.E.E.D. (Survivorship, Education, and Early Detection) initiative for women of color. Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, even though they tend to be diagnosed less often with the disease. Many factors play into this disparity, including having fewer social and economic resources, having cancers that grow faster and are harder to treat, and not getting prompt follow-up care.

To combat this disparity, the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition has developed the Planting the S.E.E.D. initiative aimed at educating women of color about breast health, connecting women of color to resources to screenings, promoting annual mammography screening in the African American community, and celebrating African American survivors.

To find out more about the Planting the S.E.E.D. initiative, click here. If you would like to be added to the Planting the S.E.E.D. email list so that you can stay updated on all the Planting the S.E.E.D. programs happening in your community, please email Chadeia Mitchell at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call her at 302-778-1102 ext. 1018.

What can I do to help spread the word?

Promote the Black History Month “Planting the S.E.E.D. to Health and History” Campaign by sharing flyers and content on Facebook & other social media platforms

Talk to people in your community about breast cancer during black history month and share the family health history tree. Think local churches, community centers, women’s groups, etc.

Recruit/Identify key leaders in the communities of the women who need the services of DBCC (especially the under/uninsured and/or unemployed).